What does having braces consist of?

Brackets or Braces: Can be made out of metal, gold, or clear porcelain, that is bonded to your teeth that a wire can attach to help move or guide your teeth.

Band or Ring: Is a metal orthodontic device that holds a bracket or tube and encircles a tooth just like a ring.

Arch wire: Can be made out of different types of metal with is then formed to an arch form and is used with braces as a source of force in correcting irregularities in the mouth.

Forces: Are a metal spring that attaches to your braces or bands to help correct the patients bite, they are not removable for the patient.

RUBBER BANDS OR ELASTICS :CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF FORCES TO HELP CORRECT A PATIENT BITE, THEY ARE

MADE OF ELASTIC MATERIAL AND CAN BE REMOVED BY PATIENTS WHEN EATING AND BRUSHING.

COLORS OR LIGATURE TIES : THEY ARE USED TO HELP ENGAGED THE ARCH WIRE INTO THE BRACKET AND ADDS A

LITTLE FUN TO THE BRACES EXPERIENCE.

CLEAR ALIGNERS: ARE AN ALTERNATIVE TO HAVE BRACES OR BRACKETS BONDED TO THE PATIENTS TEETH, THEY

ARE MADE OUT OF A THICK CLEAR PLASTICS THAT IS FORMED TO THE TEETH FROM A MODEL THAT WAS TAKEN.

IMPRESSIONS: ARE PUTTY LIKE MATERIAL THAT IS USED TO MAKE A MODEL OF THE PATIENT TEETH CAN BE USED

FOR MANY PURPOSE AND IS USED IN MOST DENTAL FIELDS.

SPACERS OR SEP’S: THEY ARE A SMALL BLUE RUBBER BAND THAT IS FLOSSED BETWEEN THE TEETH TO MAKE

SPACE NEEDED TO HELP FIT A BAND.

Brushing and flossing is one most important keys to getting your teeth to move and

also to get your braces off on time. It is crucial to always remove all the food and plaque daily from your teeth and brackets. You should brush after every meal and floss once a day. There are many tools to help you with brushing and flossing.

• Demineralization: It means the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel can be cause by acid found in foods and drinks. The loss will cause chalky white spot on your teeth. It can lead to cavities if not taken care of. To minimizes this you will want to curt back on sweets and soft drinks.

Below are most common dental problem termonogly that you should be aware of

• Cavities: Can be cause by lack off brushing and flossing the teeth allowing sweets and acid foods an drinks to remain on the teeth for long periods of time.

Plaque: Is a sticky layer of bacteria that forms on the tooth surfaces and be very hard to see. Plaque can be removed by brushing after

be removed by brushing after every meal and flossing once a day.

Calculus: Is plaque that hasn’t been removed from the teeth and has harden usually found between the teeth and around the gum line .

Gingivitis: Occurs when the tissue are teeth become in flamed. You may notice redness, swelling or even bleeding of the gums when

you brush and floss.

Making the right food and drink choice with braces

Some food and drinks can put a fork in your path to your new smile

Here are just a few:

Popcorn, nuts, hard candy, chips, corn on the cob, candied apple, caramels, taffy

All though you want to maintain a health diet . Foods like carrots, apples, and hard breads are the ones

you want to cut up into bite size pieces.

You should reduce the amount of drinks that contain a high level of sugar such as soda and sport

drinks

These bad habits can cause minor to large damage to you braces and prolong your treatment time so try

to avoid these things.

Biting your lip

Pushing your tongue against your brackets

Chewing on Things (like straws, pens, pencils and you nails)

Smoking and or chewing tobacco

What to do is something happened from a bad habit?

If a wire pops out or becomes loose and

you are unable to replace it yourself you can place wax over the area and call you office

If any piece of your braces falls off you should try to save it and place in a plastic bag and bring it to your Orthodontics office

If you have any discomfort call you office first, then try brushing and flossing the area and rinse with warm salt water

It is still very important to see your general dentist for your preventive cleanings and check ups very 6 months. Your hygienist or Doctor may recommend that you have your arch wire removed prior to having your teeth cleaned. That is for your benefit and there’s to allow x-rays and a proper cleaning.

Now that your braces are on, and you play active contact sport. There

are concerns, The potential for injury to your self and others can be

greater when wearing braces. For yours and others protection your

orthodontic would recommend that you wear a custom fit mouth

guard.

Over the counter ones from most sport store are not recommend such

as boil and bites. Once you boil them and bite once the material

becomes hard it is very difficult to remove off your braces and you can

brake your braces or a wire.